Orthopedic device



May 25 1926. 1,585,828

'- I J. J. BIERIG ORTHOPEDI C DEVI CE Filed Nov. 24, 1925 2Shaetlz-Sheet 1 gag/J 37 ,7 jwvanto c JJBieriy May 25 1926.

J. J. BIERIG ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE Patented May 25, 1926.

UNE'E'EE STATES JACOB J. BIERIG, or ISABELLA, OKLAHOMA.

OBTHOPEDIC IUEVICIEL Application filed November 24, 1925. serial No.71,110.

This invention relates to orthopedic devices and has relation moreparticularly to a device of this kind especially adapted 'tor use bypersons alliicted with talipes or club 5 foot and kindred deformities,and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kindwhich afi'ords an effective braceto the nether limbs.

Another object of the inventionis to pro vide a device of this kindwherein is employed articulated leg members assembled in a manner topermit requisite movements of the limbs when the person is walking or ina sitting posture together with means'for 15' effectively maintainingthe device in applied position. r

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arproved orthopedic device wherebycertain importantadvantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensiveand otherwise more convenient-and advantageous for use, as will behereinafter more fully set forth. a I

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed. In order that my invention may be the better understood, 1 willnow proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation with parts insection or" an orthopedic device constructed in accordance with anembodiment o'l' my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in eleva tion taken from the inside oithelower portion of my improved device;

Figure 3 is a view partly in section and her as herein disclosed;

Figure 4 1s a view in Iront elevation of the demos as herein disclosedwith port1ons broken away and the coacting shoes omitted;

partly in plan of the waist encircling mem- Figure 5 is a view-in topplan of-the structype suitably'held by a tab 5 with the opposite endportion of the casing 2.

The band or member 1 is preferably of metal possessing a sufficientdegree of. resiliency or flexibility whereby the same may readily adjustitself to the waist line of the user and be effectively maintained inapplied position when the strap 3 is'properly en gaged with the buckleeh The member or band 1 is substantially elliptical in form and isprovided at substantially diametrically opposed points with theenlargements 6 constituting plates which are positioned at oppositssides of the body when the band or member 1 is applied. Pivotallyconnected with cachet tne plates 6 is an extremity of the upper section7 of an articulated leg member hi, the casing 21 being slitted, at topermit such connection and also to permit the section t to have desiredswinging movement. This section 7 may be termed the hip sec ion and hasits lower end portion pivotally connected, as at 9, with an end portionof the upper leg section 10 or the member M which in turn has its lowerend portion pivotally connected, as at 11, with the hip and knee jointmovements of a nether limb. The lower end port-ion of the section 12 1Spivotally connected, as at 14, with the outer upstanding arm 15 of aU-shaped member A. The intermediate portion 16 of this member Aunderlies the heel portionot' a shoe'S and has its central portionriveted, as at 1.7,or otherwise attached thereto. The second upstandingarm 15" is arranged inwardly of the'heel portion of the shoes and haspivotallvconnected therewith the lower end portion of anupwardlydisposed arm 18' and to the upper portion of this arm pivotallyconnected the lower end port-hm of a short arm 19. The pivotalconnection 20 between these arms 18 and 19 is substantially in alignmentwith the pivotal conned to' the section 10. The opposite end portion or"the band 22, as herein disclosed, is

reduced to provide a strap 24 adapted to have adjustable connection witha buckle '25 held by the tab 26 secured to the section and preferably bythe rivet 23 just referred to. This band 22 is adapted to encircle theupper portion of the limb whereby the section 10 and the upper arm 19are effectively secured to the limb and the device in its entirelyfurther maintained in applied position.

The arm of the member A, as herein disclosed, adj acent its lower end isprovided with a forwardly extended wing or lip 27 with which is freelyengaged or interlocked an eye member 28 arranged at anfend of anelongated shank 29. This shank 29 is forwardly directed and is freelydisposed through a vertically disposed -fiange 3O arranged at an end ofa plate 31 riveted or Otherwise secured, asst-32, to the outer sideportion of the sole of the shoe adjacent to the ball thereof with theflange extending outwardly ofthe shoe. 7 Threaded upon the shank 29 atopposite sides of the flange 30 are the 'nuts 33 which are adapted toeffectively lock the shank 29 to said flange. The nuts 33 permit theshank 29 and the plate 31 to be readily employed with shoes of varyingsizes or to permit the plate 31 to be secured to the sole of a shoe atthe most effective location. i

The casing 2 adjacent the free end of the member or band 1 has securedthereto the outwardly arranged buttons 34: withwhich are detachablyconnected the extremities of the elastic strips 35, the opposite ends ofwhich being also adapted for detachable connection with. the outwardlydisposed buttons 36 secured to the central part of the rear portion ofthe casing. These strips are in crossed relation and when my improveddevice is in applied position extend over the shoulders of the user. v

The upper portion of each of the lower leg sections 12 and the adjacentarm 18 have secured thereto, as at 37, the band 38 adapted to encirclethe leg adjacent to the ankle. One end portion 39 of the band 38 isreduced to provide a strap for adjustable engagement with a buckle 40supported by atab carried by the lower leg section 12.

From the foregoing A description it .is thought to be obvious that anorthopedic device constructed in accordance with my invention isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will alsobe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change andmodification without departing from the principles and spirit thereofand for this reason I do not Wish to be understood as limiting myself tothe precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shownin carrying outmy invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, awaist encircling member, an articulated leg member connected therewithand including a hip section pivoted thereto, an upper leg sectionpivoted to the hip section, a lower leg section pivotedto the upper legsection, the connections between the upper leg section and the hipsection and the lower leg section and the upper leg section constitutingrule-joint connections breaking in opposite directions, a shoe,asubstantially U-shapcd member attached to the shoe and having side armsat opposite sides of the shoe, the lower leg section being pivotallyconnected with one of the armsof the ti-shaped member, an elongated armpivotally connected with the second arm of the U-shaped member, a secondarm pivotally connected with the last named arm, and a limb encirclingmember secured to said second arm and to the upper leg section.

2. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a waistencircling member, an articulated leg member connectedthe-rewith andincluding a hip section pivoted thereto, an upper leg section pivoted tothe hip section, a lower leg section pivoted to the upper leg section,the connections between the upper leg section and the hip section andthe lower leg section and the upper leg section constituting rule jointconnections breaking in opposite directions, a shoe, means for pivotallyconnecting the lower leg section at one side of the shoe, an elongatedarm pivotally connected with the shoe at the opposite side thereof, asecond arm pivotally connected with the last named arm, and a limbencircling member-secured to the second arm and to the upperleg section.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

JACOB J. Binnie.

